(A) The terms “local rules,” “internal operating procedures” and “experimental rules” will no longer be used in the context of the Uniform Superior Court Rules. Any deviation from these rules is disallowed. (B) Notwithstanding the expiration of local rules, internal operating procedures and experimental rules on December 31, 2010, courts may continue to maintain practices and standing orders to regulate the internal processes of the court in matters which are not susceptible to uniformity, which relate only to internal procedure and which do not affect the rights of any party substantially or materially, either to unreasonably delay or deny such rights. Such internal processes include but are not limited to case management, court administration, case assignment, traverse and grand jury management, court-annexed alternative dispute resolution programs (which are subject to approval by the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution), specialty courts, indigent defense programs, court security, emergency planning, judicial assistance requests, appointments of chief judges, law libraries, and other similar matters. The Clerk of Court shall maintain the originals of such standing orders and provide copies of them, upon request. (C) The above provisions notwithstanding, each superior court may retain or adopt an order establishing guidelines governing excuses from jury duty pursuant to OCGA ยง 15-12-10. (D) Notwithstanding these uniform rules, a majority of judges in a circuit may adopt pilot projects, upon approval of the Supreme Court, adequately advertised to the local bar, with copies to the State Bar of Georgia, not to exceed a period of one year, subject to extension for one additional year upon approval of the circuit judges and the Supreme Court. At the end of the second year, any such pilot projects will either be approved by the Supreme Court or will be allowed to sunset. Programs developed under the Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules of the Supreme Court will be approved by the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution before attaining permanent status under these rules. (E) Notwithstanding the expiration of all local rules, internal operating procedures and experimental rules, effective December 31, 2010, courts may promulgate standing orders as to matters not addressed by these uniform rules and which are not inconsistent with a uniform rule only if actual notice of such order is provided to all parties. Such orders include, but are not limited to, orders to attend educational seminars contemplated by Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8, orders governing or mandating alternative dispute resolution, orders governing payments into the registry of the court, orders governing electronic filing, and similar matters. “Actual notice” shall be deemed to have been satisfied by providing copies of such orders to attorneys and pro se litigants, service by a party upon opposing parties and publicized dissemination in such locations as the offices of the clerks of court, law libraries, legal aid societies and public libraries. Mere filing of standing orders and posting in prominent places in the courthouse shall not suffice as actual notice. (F) No person shall be denied access to the court nor be prejudiced in any way for failure to comply with a standing order of which the person does not have actual notice.
Ga. R. Sup. Ct. 1.2
Amended effective October 7, 2010; amended May 1, 2012, effective May 23, 2013.
